Golden Globe-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has created a poignant, fantastical fable, set in Baltimore, MD, circa 1962, at the height of the Cold War. Lonely, mute janitor Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) discovers an exotic aquatic creature (very similar to the classic Black Lagoon fish-man) hidden in a cylindrical tank in a top-secret government laboratory that is run by sadistic Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon), who tortures the captive creature with an electric cattle prod. In South America's Amazon River, this amphibian (played by Doug Jones) is considered a God. Not only can he breathe underwater with gills but also on land thanks to humanoid lungs. Modeled after Michelangelo's perfectly proportioned David, the creature's touch also carries remarkable curative powers. Captured by the military, this mysterious yet innocent hybrid is considered an oceanographic "asset" that could give America a supernatural advantage over the perceived Communist threat. Secretly sharing some snacks, Elisa feels empathy for the creature, who she communicates with in sign language. And since both can hear, they share a love of music that leads to a deep, intuitive bond. With the help of a co-worker (Octavia Spencer), a sympathetic scientist/spy (Michael Stuhlbarg), and an artist neighbor (Richard Jenkins), Elisa is determined to set him free. Sensuous and sumptuous, this multi-Oscar-nominated film is an enchanting and redemptive interspecies love story. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the behind-the-scenes featurettes “A Fairy Tale for Troubled Times” (29 min.), “Guillermo del Toro's Master Class” with the director (14 min.), “Shaping the Waves: A Conversation with James Jean” with the artist (5 min.), and “Anatomy of a Scene” segments on “The Dance” (5 min.)” and “Prologue” (3 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Best Picture winner.] (S. Granger)
The Shape of Water
Fox, 123 min., R, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $39.99, Mar. 13 Volume 33, Issue 2
The Shape of Water
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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